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Enlarge ImageRequest to buy this photoALASTAIR GRANT | ASSOCIATED PRESSThe five Britons Russia released after a Greenpeace protest of Arctic drilling arrived in London yesterday from Paris. They are, from left, Anthony Perrett, Kieron Bryan, Alexandra Harris, Iain Rogers and Phil Ball.

LONDON — Five British Greenpeace activists arrived in London yesterday after their release from
detention in Russia, saying their goal of fighting Arctic oil development remained unchanged but
that their tactics might need some adjustment.

“I’ve gone through a lot for this campaign, I’m not going to stop now,” one of the released
activists, Alexandra Harris, told Britain’s Sky News.

The five were among 30 people arrested in September aboard a Greenpeace ship after some of them
attempted to raise a banner on an offshore platform belonging to the Russian energy giant
Gazprom.

The attempt was thwarted, and the next day Russian commandos dropped onto their ship from
helicopters, seized it and detained all aboard.

They were held for more than 60 days before being released on bail and only recently were freed
to leave Russia after authorities granted them amnesty, effectively closing the case.

“It’s good to be back and speaking English,” said Anthony Perrett. Jail conditions were
difficult, he said: “Deep snow, locked in a cell for 23 hours a day, but it’s been worth it.”

The five Britons arrived in London’s St. Pancras station on the Eurostar train from Paris and
were greeted by a media crowd as well as family, friends and well-wishers.

The group initially was charged with piracy, but those charges were reduced to hooliganism after
Russian President Vladimir Putin questioned the notion of the environmentalists being pirates. Many
saw their ultimate release as part of Putin’s efforts to improve Russia’s international image ahead
of the coming Winter Olympics in Sochi.

The piracy charges were “absurd,” said Perrett, 32, who described his concern at the lack of
visible justice in Russia. “There were some farcical moments. You were in a courtroom but no one
asked any questions.”

He said he remained uncertain of his ultimate fate “until the (airplane) wheels hit the ground”
as they arrived in France.